The Phillies added veteran starting pitcher Clay Buchholz as depth, so that the young Phillies rotation could grow and protect the Phillies against an injury. However, the first injury came to Buchholz himself. After a series of tests, the Phillies announced that Buchholz has a flexon tendon tear.
Phillies fans might remember another pitcher that had the same issue: left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee. Generally, the injury means surgery for the pitcher. Lee opted for rest instead, and the injury essentially ended his career.
Another pitcher to receive the surgery is former Phillies pitcher Chad Billingsley. Billingsley suffered the injury in 2014 and was still recovering from the related surgery when the Phillies signed him in 2015. Billingsley made seven starts for the Phillies before a season-ending elbow injury. Billingsley has not played in the Major Leagues since.
The Phillies say that Buchholz will get a second opinion from the famed Dr. James Andrews before deciding how to proceed. But either way, a disabled list stint appears certain.
The Phillies will not be forced to summon a pitcher by the rotation's current workload at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Phillies have off days tomorrow and Monday, meaning the Phillies can shuffle their rotation to accommodate whoever they like. Zach Eflin was recently activated from the disabled list and sent to Triple-A on Tuesday, where he pitched five shutout innings. With the injury, the Phillies can bring Eflin right back.
Since it is under 20 days, the Phillies could save themselves an option on Eflin's contract by keeping him in the big leagues all season.
